Recently, I wrote a blog post about my waning creativity in winter months a.k.a. the grueling time when the sun ceases to bless us with its presence as often as I would like. This led to a discussion with a friend regarding how we each try to beat winter creative block, and my friend suggested I share some of my tips on how to stay creative during winter, when motivation might be a bit lower than usual (although it’s definitely also an uphill battle for me). As a writer, this is going to be quite writing-focused, but I believe many of the principles can be applied to other art forms.
Below are 8 things I do to boost my creativity during winter:
1. Be Creative With Others
The creative journey can be a lonely one. I used to write solely on my own, and I rarely shared my work. Yet, I have found that being creative with others is fun, inspiring, and might bring you closer to someone by starting conversations on topics you otherwise never would have thought to discuss. Company is also a good substitute for the sun as creative motivation in the Winter, as it brings a different kind of light and positivity into your life, and even better: you can stay inside.
One way to be creative with others is by chatting to friends and family about your new ideas or even letting them see or hear your first draft/initial pattern/demo. They might have a perspective on your work you hadn’t considered. This is especially helpful if you’re stuck or if you need some encouragement (self-doubt is definitely the primary reason for my creative block).
Alternatively, you can join a local or online community, such as Stitch Night in Bournemouth. I have found this very gratifying and enriching, as it allows me to make other crafty friends all while I crochet. Best of both worlds! Try to see if you can find a community that suits your needs and fits your vibe. Or simply invite a friend over for some creative quality time.
Of course, it might be that your work requires you to be bombarded with others’ creativity all the time – I’ll touch on that later.
2. Attend/Run Workshops to Stay Creative During Winter
While this might seem similar to the point above, the emphasis here is on professional development and skill building rather than community. Workshops can be a great way to share your knowledge and learn from others – regardless of whether you are running or attending the workshop.
I happen to be lucky enough to freelance as a workshop facilitator assistant at ArtfulScribe, where I assist in facilitating creative writing workshops for young people. The workshops not only give me allocated time to write myself, they allow me to learn from my co-facilitator and get inspired by the young people. Every workshop brings new exercises and topics, strengthening my writing tools and introducing diverse approaches.
3. Try a Different Medium or New Craft
Personally, I have high expectations for my writing, and while that might be beneficial – you know, otherwise I wouldn’t bother editing or improving my craft – it can also be a hindrance. If my writing doesn’t meet my standards, I feel disappointed and uninspired. I don’t get anything done.
However, this is not the case with, for example, painting. My paintings tend to look like they were created by an eight year old (last time I painted something, the motif was an angry man pooping, so the imagery isn’t very mature either). And I don’t care! It’s extremely liberating to just be creative, without ensuring it’s informed by this and that.
While, of course, exploring specific themes and creating art that is well-researched and part of a bigger, artistic conversation can be fascinating in and of itself, it can also require a lot of energy and brain power you might not always have, especially when it’s dark and pissing down outside. Not very inspiring.
So try something new instead! Whether that be a new craft or medium – even if you’re a poet, maybe you can convince yourself that your sonnet doesn’t have to sound like Shakespeare if you’ve never written one before. Fewer expectations and boundaries lead to more fun (famous last words of someone before starting a tumultuous situationship). With any luck, you can even try to keep that mindset when working on your usual project – and, who knows, maybe the lack of inhibitions will bring about your best work yet.
4. Turn Creativity Into a Game To Boost Motivation
One thing I have learned from writing workshops is that you can take your projects and turn them into a fun game. In our Christmas workshop, we made our own zines. I decided to make my zine on festivals, traditions, and food in my fantasy world. While I might otherwise just write that in a Word document, it was significantly more fun to have that information in a little booklet, with a colourful drawing on the front.
Why not take that principle and apply it to your projects? Creativity, at its core, is about play. Write a silly little jingle (maybe it can be the intro to one of your songs, because why not?), paint with your feet, try freeform crochet, write a chapter from a random kid’s perspective, or introduce strange props in your photography. Have fun!
5. Consume Others’ Work
I would argue that it is vital to consume others’ art to improve your own. For inspiration, to learn about your preferences, to enrich your life. You learn by doing, but you learn more from engaging.
Additionally, it can also boost creativity. Reading is definitely easier than writing – especially if you’re bundled up in bed under the covers – but it often makes me want to write. An exemplary book makes me want to create my own or to add a new perspective on a topic.
Even books I find less than stellar might make me want to write – if they can do it, so can I (I say that, but writing a book does require a whole lot of time and planning, and is a feat in and of itself). Seeing people wear cute crochet clothes makes me want to crochet them – though I’ll probably add some glitter and make it my own. Even if you’re not in the mood to create, at the very least it might get your creative gears to work, and you can note the ideas down, ready for a sunny day.
6. Go To a Museum, a Gallery, or a Library For Creative Inspiration
Inspiration can strike at any time and come from anywhere. For me, going to an art gallery, engaging with specific themes and topics, stimulates my creativity and desire to respond, to be part of the conversation.
Similarly, when I, for example, went to an exhibition on the history of witchcraft in Denmark (Mellem Himmel og Jord at Det Kongelige Bibliotek), I was strongly inspired by the atmosphere, the traditional tools, and the authentic grimoires. And when would be a better time to go to a museum or library than a rainy Saturday in February?
I suppose, for me, going to a library is more motivation – I want to see my books in a library, therefore, I need to write. Yet, I can also find inspiration in the book covers, in the blurb, or if I end up borrowing a book.
7. Take a Break by Yourself
While being creative with others can be inspiring, sometimes it can also feel overwhelming. In my experience, surrounding myself with creatives can, at times, make me doubt myself – their work is great, should I try to emulate them? Am I a failure? – which results in either a sense of urgency, where I feel I am required to be creative all the time, or a creative block.
If you feel this way, perhaps it’s more beneficial to just isolate yourself in a room at home, in a library, in a park – focus on your own work, your voice. What makes your work stand out from the work of others?
Or, perhaps, just take a break. Don’t be creative and focus on something else instead, like spending time with family or taking a long, hot bath. This might help your creative muscle relax and eventually start working again.
8. Go Outside to Beat Winter Creative Block
Honestly, although this is the final point, it’s probably also one of the most important ones. I know that modern lifestyles often don’t make this easy, and if you live in Northern Europe like me, it’s probably gloomy and rainy 90% of the time – but still, going outside, taking a break from the daily hustle and bustle, is overall just good for your physical, mental, and creative health. Getting fresh air definitely can bring fresh perspectives (haha). Also, rain clothes exist for a reason!
Go for a walk. Dance around a bit (if you’ve seen me do this on my walks, no you haven’t). Sit down, make some notes, write, paint, crochet, take pictures, whatever. Just go outside.
Final Thoughts on How to Stay Creative During Winter:
Being creative has been proven to improve mental health and wellbeing (Jean-Berluche, D., 2023), but it’s also just fun. That being said, it’s not always without challenges. I would love to hear how you stay creative in the cold Winter months. Do you swear by any of the above? Or something completely different? Or do you just hibernate and start creating when it becomes a bit warmer?
I’m currently working on a post with fantasy winter writing prompts and easy crochet winter patterns, so stay tuned!
References:
Jean-Berluche, D. (2023). Creative Expression and Mental Health, in Journal of Creativity, v34 n2, pp. 1-6.
Leave a Reply